Austin Unemployment Rate Drops

Last month, the Texas Workforce Commission reported that the Austin unemployment rate fell from 7.3% in Febuary to 7.1% in March. Job posts in the Austin-San Marcus-Round Rock area increased by 4,600. However, compared to last year, the Central Texas unemployment rate is still considerably higher (in March 2009, Texas unemployment rate was 6.6%).

Hospitality and government jobs mainly stimulated Ausitn’s job growth. Austin lost jobs in the mining, logging and construction industries.

Year-over-year, while Austin’s job sector is on the rise, Texas industries are still down by half the number of jobs on the market in March 2009. Business and professional services were the big losers in the job market downturn, losing about 3,800 Texas jos.